Gingrich’s Problems Aren’t Over

In paying his penalty without resorting to campaign money or a special fund, Newt Gingrich took the step that his closest advisers had suggested for weeks. But the embattled speaker still has a long way to go to rehabilitate his leadership.

Gingrich’s announcement drew a standing ovation from House Republicans - and a collective sigh of relief.

But the loan was sure to be the grist of late-night television comedians. And Democrats snickered openly, some suggesting the unorthodox arrangement would only serve to help keep alive the ethics charges against Gingrich.

“Instead of a straightforward approach for paying his debt, the speaker has devised an elaborate plan which raises as many questions as it answers,” said Rep. David Bonior, D-Mich., the assistant House minority leader.

Still, many congressional leaders seemed willing to accept the novel way that Gingrich selected to pay the penalty - even if the fact that Dole is going to work for a high-power law firm that lobbies Congress did raise some eyebrows.

But an ethical cloud still hovers over him.

The Internal Revenue Service is investigating tax-exempt organizations, including some of those that received contributions for Gingrich’s college courses in Georgia that are at the heart of the ethics case. Furthermore, the House Ethics Committee recommended that all its files on the matter be made available to the IRS.

“The speaker brought discredit on this House,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. “The Republicans are here celebrating the fact that Newt Gingrich is paying a $300,000 fine for lying to Congress. There is nothing to celebrate.”

But Gingrich’s problems run far deeper.

In recent weeks, he won wide praise for his tough talk to the Chinese during an Asian trip, and shored up support among conservatives by insisting on huge tax cuts - despite earlier overtures to moderates suggesting the tax cuts could wait until the budget was balanced.

Despite the public show of GOP support for him on Thursday, many Republicans remain privately doubtful of whether he can regain his leadership abilities.

Furthermore, he still has one of the slimmest majorities in the House of any speaker in history. And to get things done, he’ll have to do more than rally conservatives - he’ll have to reach out to moderates as well.